Improvement in earth-augers



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EARTH AUGERS.

` Patented Jan. 30, 18771 N. PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FLETCHER, OF FILLMOBE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO WILLIAM FOOTE, OF HUME, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN EARTH-AUGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,818, dated January 30, 1877; application filed October 7, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE FLETCHER, of Fillmore, in tbe county of Allegany and State of New York,have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Earth-Angers; and I do hereby declare that the following` is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of' the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and gures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a front elevation oi' my earth-auger, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

The main object of this invention is to facilitate the dumping of earth-angers; and this is accomplished by pivoting one of the bits or blades, and providing it with a horizontal lug or foot-rest, so that it may be easily turned by the operators foot.

The invention also consists in providing the auger-shank with a fixed block, which prevents said pivoted blade from turning except in one direction, and also serves to brace the same.

In the annexed drawings, designates the lever-handle of an earth-au er, and B the shank of the same. On the lower end of said shank is an outwardly and downwardly curving extension, B', made in one piece therewith, and to this extension is riveted a shield-shaped curving excavating bit or blade, O. O is a similar bit or blade, secured in like manner to a similar extension, D', of a short shank, D, which is pivoted near lts lower end to the main shank B, near the lower end thereof. The upper end of said pivoted shank D is provided with a horizontally-extending lug or foot-rest, d, immediately below which the outside of said pivoted shank is recessed at d to receive a flange, e, ou a rectangular stop-lug of a load of earth, which cannot be otherwise' removed, the operator puts his foot against the rest d, or grasps the same with his h'and, and by giving to it an oblique sidewise and downward pressure he tips up blade G, and so disengages the load oi' earth contained between said blades.

All of the above parts are constructed of metal, except the lever-handle A. While boring, the operators foot may press straight down upon said foot-rest, thereby adding to the efliciency of the auger.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of shank B and blade C with blade O and short pivoted shank D, having lug d at the top thereof.

2. Shank B, provided with stop-plate or stopblock E, in combination with pivoted shank D, arranged substantially as above set forth.

3. Shank B, provided with stop-plate E, having flange e, in combination with pivoted blade C', provided with lug or foot-rest d, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence oi' two witnesses.

GEORGE FLETCHER..

Witnesses:

ARTHUR HARDING, FRANK HARDING. 

